75 squadron raaf history books

Raaf 3 squadron association 3afc australian flying corps. Formed at raaf station williamtown, near newcastle, new south wales, on 7 february 1941, a week before no. I will have a look though the orbs and should be able to dig up quite a bit of info, that is, if wayne or one of the other experts on here doesnt beat me to it. Michael chambers the plaque dedicated to 75 squadron located at the raaf museum, garbutt photo taken 6 february 1999.

Walter hurdle nz421279 from wellington, new zealand was found to have been killed during the attack. The decisive factor 75 and 76 squadrons regimental books. Whittock winning world war one the western front diaries dvd history. Seek and strike 75 squadron raaf, 1942 2002 welcome to. On 21 march the squadrons first four kittyhawk aircraft landed at the seven mile strip, port moresby. Mar 21, 2019 unlike stamp collectors and their knowledgeable breadth of history, when you pick up raf bomber command profiles. A great story about the men of 75 squadron raaf holding out against the japanese at port morseby at the peak of japanese dominance in early 1942. The epic world war ii story of australias 75 squadron and the 44 days when these brave and barely trained pilots fought alone against the japanese. Raaf 75 squadron proud heritage began with the history as told in this story. Includes the names of the pilots and ground staff, who were. Seek and strike 75 squadron raaf, 1942 2002 regimental books. Fighter squadron doctor 75 squadron, raaf, new guinea, 1942. History 75 squadron raaf march april 1942 kittyhawk.

Despite the dispatch of numerous kittyhawks and hurricanes to the pacific theatre, the complete absence of any raaf singleseat fighters in australia at the dawn of 1942 was a matter of grave concern. In march and april 1942, the raaf 75 squadron defended port moresby, papua new guinea, alone against the japanese war machine. In march and april 1942, raaf 75 squadron bravely defended port moresby for 44 days when. Throughout the book, the part played by the dedicated groundcrew is included, and there are many anecdotes from the 60 years of 75 squadron s life and times. The squadron was formed at raaf station pearce, western australia, in march 1942 and saw action in the south west pacific theatre of world war ii, operating curtis p40 kittyhawks. A history of butterworth airbase, malaysia 3 squadron s home from the 1950s to the 80s as described by squadron leader tony fairbairn in his book action stations. After the war, it reequipped with north american p51 mustangs and deployed to japan as part of the british commonwealth occupation force. Here, author michael veitch explains how he researched this untold chapter of australias world war ii history for his book, 44 days. It was disbanded in 1948, but reformed the following year and operated jet aircraft throughout the cold war. The squadron was formed at raaf station pearce, western australia, in march 1942 and saw action in the south west pacific theatre of world. An illustrated life of simpson, the man with the donkey a is for anzac primary school gallipoli book vietnam 50th anniversary cap war campaign ribbons brief history of the third reich by m.

The squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the south west pacific theatre of world war ii, operating p40 kittyhawks. It was formed from the rafs world war ii bomber squadron, no. History 75 squadron raaf march april 1942 kittyhawk fighter sqn. The majority of ground personnel and some flying personnel were drawn from 24 squadron, townsville. Another 75 squadron stirling iii ej108 was also attacked, but despite serious damage the pilot, fo. On 4 april 1940, the new zealand squadron was renamed no. No association with the royal australian air force no. The royal australian air force raaf, formed in march 1921, is the aerial warfare branch of the australian defence force adf. As with molkentins previous ww1 aviation history books, this work leaves the reader with a great admiration for michaels prodigious ability to research primary sources, turn up interesting insights and integrate everything into a compelling narrative. The epic world war ii story of the heroes of australias 75 squadron and the 44 days when these brave and barely trained pilots fought alone against the japanese. Browse and buy a vast selection of military books and collectibles on abebooks. Raaf unit history sheets form a50 operations record book forms a50 and a51 number 3 squadron jul 25 aug 43 contents range 1925 1943 series number a9186 control symbol 8 access status open barcode 1158595. From 1941 to 1943, it mainly conducted maritime patrols off northern australia.

A number of former 3 squadron aircraft and personnel remained at butterworth and were formed as no. The groups motto is preserving yesterdays history for tomorrow, but has no museum location, website or any facility open to. This book is the history of the 78 raaf fighter squadron, smuttee was the codename used by the squadron after they joined the war in the pacific, in 1943. The sixty year history of this famous fighter squadron from new guinea 1942, to malta and the united kingdom, butterworth, darwin and tindal with kittyhawks, vampires, meteors, sabres, mirages and hornets. Seek and strike 75 squadron raaf 1942 2002 by david j. On the same day, 4 april 1940, the new zealand flight was redesignated no. Seventeen days after forming at townsville, queensland, and converting to an allnew aircraft type, the unit deployed. Jul 26, 2016 brilliantly researched and sympathetically told, 44 days is more than just a fitting tribute to brave but overlooked heroes. The photos purport to record the delivery of two p38s to no 75 squadron raaf. In the brian hansen centenary history book there are two photos of players with the aircraft taken at raaf. Fighter squadron doctor 75 squadron, royal australian air force, new guinea, 1942. Thanks for posting it, one of the best crew photos ive seen.

Among the more than 20 books on australian mainly defence history that he has published are the third brother. Due to the current covid19 virus crisis please note that orders may experience delays in getting posted. From march 1939 until april 1940, the squadron acted as a training squadron, before becoming part of no. It will be noted that the aeroplanes are identified only as malaria mabel and map happy pappy, names which would have been bestowed by the 8th photo reconnaissance squadron usaaf, the unit which provided the aircraft. His books include the critically acclaimed accounts of australian airmen in world war ii, 44 days, heroes of the skies, fly, flak and barney greatrex. No 75 new zealand squadron raf lancaster 1944 maximum. The new zealand 75 squadron association was first created at a reunion of returned 75 squadron serviceman in wellington, new zealand in 1950. Fighter squadron doctor 75 squadron, raaf, new guinea. Veitch knew of the air battle over port moresby, but only vaguely.

They had much success with retaliatory raids against the japanese. In march and april 1942, raaf 75 squadron bravely defended port moresby for 44 days when australia truly stood alone against the japanese. Although often referred to, then and since, as an rnzaf unit, 75 squadron was equipped and controlled by the raf until vj day. Raaf unit history sheets form a50 operations record book forms a50 and a51 number 3 squadron jul 25 aug 43. Seek and strike, 75 squadron raaf 1942 2002 by david j. Headquartered at raaf base williamtown, new south wales, the wing comprises three combat units, nos. The book takes the reader from initial formation and training, to the units baptism of fire at port moresby, then milne bay and other wartime postings including nadzab, tadji, morotai and tarakan. None in stock at banner books but available from alexander fax books, canberra. Port moresby and milne bay in february and march 1942 the. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Michael chambers the plaque dedicated to 75 squadron located at the raaf museum, garbutt. It operates the majority of the adfs fixed wing aircraft, although both the australian army and royal australian navy also operate aircraft in various roles. Jan 27, 2016 maximum effort full length wartime documentary no. Jul 25, 2017 the epic world war ii story of the heroes of australias 75 squadron and the 44 days when these brave and barely trained pilots fought alone against the japanese.

An illustrated history of 77 squadron raaf 1942 1992. For those few years before the end of the war, the squadron accumulated an impressive list of battle honours. Equipped with americanbuilt kittyhawk fighters and with only one weeks training, the squadron flew to new guinea. The story of their initial deployment is told in the excellent book and documentary 44 days see link in sidebar. David wilson simply starts where the story of 75 squadron begins early 1942 when 75, 76 and 77 squadrons were raised to help counter the japanese advance towards australia.

Daily telegraphin march and april 1942, raaf 75 squadron bravely defended port moresby for 44 days when australia truly stood alone against the japanese. Initially based in far north queensland, its headquarters transferred to darwin, northern territory, in september 1944 to take control of three pby catalina units. This group of raw young recruits scrambled ceaselessly in their kittyhawk fighters to an extraordinary and heroic battle, the story of which has been left largely untold. In march and april 1942, the raaf 75 squadron defended port. Australian air force cadets royal australian air force air. The squadron was formed in 1939 and saw combat in the south west pacific theatre of world war ii. The epic world war ii story of australias 75 squadron and the 44 days when these brave and barelytrained pilots fought alone against the japanese.

This was the first commonwealth squadron to be so created in the second world war. Home royal australian air force squadron histories, raaf biographies fighter squadron doctor 75 squadron, raaf, new guinea, 1942 1st edition covid19 update. Colonel lindemann dfc, a former 75 squadron commanding officer, tells the history of the squadron during the memorial service at the raaf base yesterday photo. The squadron was created when, in a unique gesture, the squadron number, colours and battle. On 21 march the squadron s first four kittyhawk aircraft landed at the seven mile strip, port moresby. The story of the authors experience with 75 squadron, raaf during world war 2. The story is well researched and interesting, and is written at a pace that keeps the readers interest. The book is hardcover, with dustjacket, 190x270mm, 222 pages, 4 appendices, 65 photos, 4 maps, and includes 8 full colour side views of aircraft by artist juanita franzi.

Most of 75 squadron were trained in ten days in townsville before setting off for port moresby. Gordon r birkett unravels myths and facts about how 75 squadron raaf got into action for the first time. On 21 march the squadrons first four kittyhawk aircraft landed at the seven mile strip. This squadron was formed in march 1942 at townsville, and went to new guinea within two weeks, so desperate was the war situation at the time. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading 44 days.

Formed in queensland in march 1942, no 75 squadron was to become one of the raafs most famous units. This book is devoted to the squadron and this short but important period during world war ii. Buy raaf military books battle of britain bomber command. This book tells the story, largely unknown or forgotten today, of this extraordinary air campaign which literally saved australia.